Daily Readings - Sun May 19 2019

²¹They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,²²strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.²³Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.²⁴After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,²⁵and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.²⁶From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.²⁷On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Revelation

Chapter 21

¹Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.²I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.⁴He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."⁵He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

John

Chapter 13

¹It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.³¹When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.³²If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.³³"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.³⁴"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.³⁵By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Sermon

In today’s readings, we journey through the early Christian church’s perseverance, a vision of eternal hope, and the commandment of love that binds us together. The first reading from Acts recounts Paul and Barnabas's missionary efforts, highlighting their dedication to spreading the Gospel despite tribulations. They established communities, appointed leaders, and entrusted their flock to God, exemplifying faith and resilience. This narrative underscores the challenges faced by the early church and the importance of standing firm in faith. The second reading from Revelation presents a glorious vision of the New Jerusalem, where God dwells among His people, erasing sorrow and death. This apocalyptic imagery offers hope, reminding us that our earthly struggles are temporary, and God’s promise of eternal life with Him is our ultimate destination. It inspires us to persevere, knowing that our efforts are not in vain. In the Gospel, Jesus, during His last moments with His disciples, issues a new commandment: to love one another as He has loved us. This love is not merely emotional but selfless and sacrificial, reflecting God’s love. It is through this love that we are recognized as His disciples. The connection between the readings is clear: the perseverance in Acts is fueled by the hope in Revelation, and both are lived out through the love commanded in John. In our daily lives, we face challenges, but like the early church, we can endure through faith. Holding onto the hope of eternal life, we are called to love selflessly, just as Christ loved us. This love transforms our interactions, fostering a community that reflects God’s presence. The moral lesson is clear: love is the foundation of Christian life, making us true disciples and guiding us toward the heavenly vision. Let us embrace this love, living it out in every moment, as we journey toward the promise of eternal life.